Mother accused of zip-tying son to back porch

MESA, Ariz. (KTVK/CNN) - An Arizona mother is accused of zip-tying her 11-year-old son to the back porch of their home.

Police say they found the boy Wednesday sitting with his hands and feet zip-tied together around a porch post.

Officers were tipped off by a neighbor.

According to court documents, the mother, 36-year-old Jaica Rowley, was in an argument with her son over him leaving the home while he was grounded. She told the officers that she had to run several errands with her two-year-old daughter and had zip-tied her son so he could not leave while she was gone.

"I never intended for my kid to be harmed. I was only trying to keep him safe and in one spot long enough for me to get my daughter out of the car and figure out what I'm supposed to do. And every single time he's in trouble, he takes off running," said Rowley.

The 11-year-old was placed in the custody of child protective services.

Rowley was booked on one count of child abuse and one count of unlawful imprisonment.